Early Life And Birth Details. So why did the lovable character step away from one of the most successful series in television history? Played the role of Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" from 1955-1975. No disease, nothing untoward, he just got tired, I guess, she said. Rolf Aurness Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story: Season 1. Arness returned as Matt Dillon in five Gunsmoke reunion specials, the last of which aired in 1994 when he was 71. There was a rumor that Wayne was offered the part, but that is not true, according to Snopes. It's not an easy gig, however, which means that it attracts a certain, "brand" of person to the business, someone like James Harness, whose death is still being felt by fans some five years later. Season 20 Episode 1: Matt Dillon Must Die - Metacritic The same site cited,The Thing From Another World star, had the initial earning of only $1,200 per episode. Arness played marshal 6'7 M. Looking at this, it seems that there was a curse on the women of the Arness Family. James Arness, who has died aged 88, may not have been the biggest film star ever, but he was certainly one of the tallest, at 6ft 7in. Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. After that film, Arness mostly focused on Westerns and co-starred with John Wayne in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, and The Sea Chase. Why Was Chester Written Off of Gunsmoke? - INSP TV We were not that close at the end and lost touch for the last couple of years but I think we will meet again. Arness was born on May 26, 1913, in Minneapolis and was the older brother of Mission: Impossible actor Peter Graves. What Happened To Matt Dillon'S Buckskin Horse? - Arew - Neeness To make up for the lost role, an actor . He served theMilitary service from1943 to 1945 as aCorporal. He also suffered a leg injury during World War II during a battle in Anzio, Italy. - January 14, 2021 09:02 am EST. ", Todd continued, "He loved to Rock and he loved the ladies. James Arness, right, who starred as Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," had a daughter who would later get screen time in the 1990 made-for-TV movie . James Arness was in all 635 episodes: James Arness played the role of Dillon in Gunsmoke, . IMDb reported that as per on TV westerns in Time magazine (March 30, 1959), Arness stood 6' 7", and weighed 235 lbs. He appeared inThem! Weaver and actor James Arness were close . Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Summary: A mountain family in an attempt to avenge the death of one of their own capture Matt. 0 1,547 8 minutes read. 2 years after the death of her darling daughter, Virginia Chapman Arness passed away from an "accidental" drug overdose. Gunsmoke: What Was James Arness Net Worth at His Time of Death. A trailer before that specific development has Todd asking Jack, "what was James doing in the gold room?" He portrayed the character for 20 long years and made it into the hearts of every American who loved to watch TV. On the other hand, there was a big rumor of a long-term relationship between James Arness and actress Thordis Brandt, but they never accepted their relationship in public. Arness would become associated with Westerns, but his breakthrough role was in the 1951 science fiction movie The Thing from Another World. Hegot married to Virginia Chapman in 1948 and divorced in 1960. Photo: Silver Screen Collection (modified by author) Source: Getty Images According to actor James Arness, the horse that Marshall Matt Dillon rode on the TV show Gunsmoke was known as Faithful Old Buck. No, Matt Dillon's horse was known as Faithful Old Buck. He was 88 years old. Born as James King Aurness on the 26th May 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. He was known for his relaxed demeanor, which was unlike many of his colleagues. Chapman and Arness adopted son Craig, who died in 2004, and were parents to daughter Jenny, who died in 1975, and son Rolf. She reportedly took her own life with a sleeping pill overdose in May 1975. It centered on Matt Dillon (James Arness), a U.S. In addition to his work in westerns, Arness also starred in a couple of science fiction films. James Arness obituary | US television | The Guardian Gunsmoke actor James Arness dead at 88 He received his Alma Masters's from Beloit College. As it turns out, the actress overdosed on sleeping pills on 29th July 1977. Arness was best known for his 20 years on TV playing Matt Dillon, the U.S. marshal in the dusty wild-west town of Dodge City, Kansas, a role for which he was recommended by his showbiz mentor and friend, the film star John Wayne. All rights reserved. . Sadly, James suffered a stroke in the summer of 2014 and his body wasn't able to recuperate. Arness played the marshal in all 20 seasons of Gunsmoke, as well as several made-for-TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s. Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. 8 in its second season and went on to become the top-rated show on U.S. television from 1957 to 1961. He served as a radio announce for a Minneapolis radio station until he decided to hitchhike to Hollywood to star in films. James Arness: Birth, Parents, Ethnicity. And then they came up with this other deal, going gold mining. In 1955, Arness was cast as Matt Dillon when Gunsmoke made the transfer from radio to television. James Arness Bore the Grief of Losing Children & Ex Wife A gnarly car accident left the mechanic with horrible, consistent back pain, which inhibited his ability to work. . Arness is survived by his second wife, Janet, two sons and six grandchildren. He attributed his acting success to luck. A mountain family in an attempt to avenge the death of one of their own capture Matt. 'Dawson's Creek' Alum Jensen Ackles 'Has the Voice of an Angel,' Says Joshua Jackson (Exclusive), Katy Perry Disrespects Another 'American Idol' Singer, Fans Demand Apology, 'Rabbit Hole' Star Charles Dance on the Many Layers of Ben Wilson (Exclusive), 'Rabbit Hole' Star Rob Yang Teases What to Expect From Season Finale (Exclusive), 'The Diplomat' Season 2 Fate Revealed at Netflix, '9-1-1: Lone Star' Season 5 Fate Revealed, '9-1-1' Canceled at Fox But Gets New Home, John Oliver Mocks Kid Rock's Bud Light Video and Shooting Ability. According to DoYouRemeber.com, Arness performed his own stunts while playing the lawman on Gunsmoke.. He was one of the highest-earning actors of his era. Arness also starred in the TV adaptation of How The West Was Won from 1977 to 1979. Not too shabby considering in todays money, that wouldve been equivalent to over $150,000. Arness also proved he had international success when his role as Zeb Macahan in How the West Was Won made him a popular figure across the pond. ASSOCIATED . Our massive preview has details on the most promising new shows and your Get details about the top TV premieres in May 2023, including a reunion Music title data, credits, and images provided by, Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by. When 88 year old James Arness, passed away on June 11,2011 he known for his landmark role given to him by his friend John Wayne. One of the first TV Westerns geared toward adults, the show was a huge hit for CBS. In 1945, the former military serviceman began his career in the entertainment industry as a radio announcer at Minneapolis station WLOL. James Arness' 1st Wife Left Behind the Glitz After Their Split - His His most memorable character is undoubtedly U.S. Though his actual net worth was not clear, one thing is sure the actor had a lavish life. mother and sister all died. Arness yet served as a rifleman during the Infantry Division in the 3rd range within the United States. After revealing on national TV that he couldn't afford back surgery after being rear-ended in that fateful car accident, a Boston hospital reached out to James and offered to operate on his back to help alleviate his pain, free of charge. Arness had a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter. Mon 6 Jun 2011 13.15 EDT. Watch Gold Rush Fridays at 9 p.m. EST on Discovery. "James Harness has passed away from what I'm hearing. "Gunsmoke" star James Arness dead at age 88 | Reuters Weaver died Friday from complications of cancer at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado, his publicist, Julian Myers, announced Monday. James Arness, famous as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, "Gunsmoke," was born to Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler Graves. James Arness dies at 88; TV's Marshal Dillon on landmark 'Gunsmoke Our fall TV preview concludes with a comprehensive guide to the new and 2013 Fall TV Preview: Our Comprehensive Guide to the Season's New and Returning Shows. While growing up in Minnesota, he excelled at sports and music (as a saxophonist), and by age 16, he was a radio announcer at WMIN in Minneapolis. Over in the UK, the show became more popular there than in the United States. He was 88. Ultimately the episode proved that James wasn't stealing any gold for himself, but rather, his failure to fix the mining equipment quickly enough contributed to the men's inability to hit their goal of one hundred ounces. She was only 56 years old at the time. James accepted and while it mitigated his pain, it wasn't a cure-all for his ailments he still used pain meds to cope. All Rights Reserved. The actor was in relatively good health but had just been fading in recent years, Fazer told Reuters. While recuperating, his younger brother Peter -- who gained fame as the actor Peter Graves in TVs Mission: Impossible -- encouraged him to take a radio course. Peter Graves (born Peter Duesler Aurness; March 18, 1926 - March 14, 2010) was an American actor who portrayed Jim Phelps in the CBS television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973 and in its revival from 1988 to 1990. Arness was married twice and both his wives were actresses,Virginia Chapman andJanet Surtees. His birth date is on May 26, 1923. He also landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, which was mentioned in the Autobiography that stated about James Arness. rschlueter@bnd.com. REUTERS/Courtesy Arness Family/Handout. He was honorably discharged in January 1945 and received several medals for his bravery, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the World War II Victory Medal. James was ultimately let go from the show, according to Todd Hoffman, due to "excessive absences". Actor James Arness, who personified the tall, rugged lawman of the American frontier as Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," U.S. television's longest-running prime-time drama, died on Friday at age 88. Years later, Arness lost his second child. However, Arness made a left turn from westerns when he played a police officer in the short-lived series, McClains Law, co-starring with Marshall Colt. Gunsmoke was the longest-running primetime television drama in television history, tied with the original Law & Order, until Law & Order: Special Victims Unit broke the record when its 21st season debuted . He also starred in the 1977 TV mini-series How the West Was Won, the modern police drama McClains Law in 1981, and reprised John Waynes role in a TV remake of Red River in 1988. A gnarly car accident left the mechanic with horrible, consistent back pain, which inhibited his ability to work. That role, of course, was to play Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. Arness landed roles on other westerns including "How the West Was . . Updated July 25, 2017 9:22 AM. Amanda Blake Spouse, Divorce, Children, Net Worth & Death Cause The feat that went unmatched until Kelsey Grammer tied the record after 20 years of playing psychiatrist Frasier Crane on two NBC comedies -- Cheers and Frasier.. James Arness was born on May 26,1923, in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the real name James King Airness. Actor James Arness made a big name for himself while working on Gunsmoke. Why Did Festus Leave Gunsmoke? Here's The Truth CBS | Air Date: September 9, 1974. The Death of James Harness Hit 'Gold Rush' fans particularly hard especially considering that a tragic accident was behind his Season 2 departure. James Arness James fought some hard things in his life. How the West Was Won is an American Western television series that starred James Arness, Eva Marie Saint, Fionnula Flanagan, Bruce Boxleitner, and Richard Kiley.Loosely based on the 1962 Cinerama film of the same name, it began with a two-hour television film, The Macahans, in 1976, followed by a mini-series in 1977, and a regular series in 1978 and 1979. With the latter one, he exchanged vows with Janet Surtees in 1978. How the West Was Won (TV series) How Each Gunsmoke Cast Member Died . Attended high school, but couldn't join the navy because of his height. A family spokesman confirmed the news to the New York Times following his death. Did James Arness and Lorne Greene use the same horse? His funeral was held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California was buried there. Chester, who spoke with a pronounced twang -- Meester Deellon! -- left the series in 1964 and was replaced by scruffy deputy Festus Haggen. He playedThe Thingin the latter of the two films. Followed by: "I think this is where we part ways.". Although not an immediate hit, Gunsmoke climbed up the ratings chart to No. . Fred Lewis Was a Huge Fan of 'Gold Rush' Before Officially Joining Parker's Crew, 'Gold Rush' Star Parker Schnabel Has Made More Than You Think Prospecting, You Just Might Hear Former 'Gold Rush ' Star Todd Hoffman on the Radio Soon. He was born as the eldest son of father Rolf Cirkler Aurness and mother, Ruth Duesler. His back pain was hard to watch. James Arness starred in 'Gunsmoke' for 20 years LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor James Arness, who personified the tall, rugged lawman of the American frontier as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, U.S. televisions longest-running prime-time drama, died on Friday at age 88. James Arness, best known for his role as a towering Dodge City lawman in . The two of them became great friends and rumor has it that John Wayne turned down a role in a new TV series and recommended that James Arness get the role! During his time as Dodge Citys Marshal on Gunsmoke, Arness did quite well for himself. Amanda Blake: What Happened to Miss Kitty from 'Gunsmoke'? James Arness was a legendary American actor who graced the screens for over five decades. Because they knew I was down and out, they offered it to me, and I didnt have a lot of other choices. During his era, he was considered the tallest leading man in Hollywood. (Photo: Instagram) The actor's daughter, Jenny Lee, born on May 23, 1950, was the first child to leave the family. James Arness: Bio, Wiki, Career, Height, Weight, Death, Net Worth James Arness played the role throughout the series entire run from 1955 to 1975. He died at the age of 75. Arness was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his hard work and sincerity. Gunsmoke actor James Arness has died, leaving behind a letter he wanted released upon his death. Peter Graves was born Peter Duesler Aurness on March 18, 1926 on Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, Arness was very particular about . With his wife, he welcomed four children;Rolf Aurness, CraigAurness, JimAurness, and Jenny Lee. A picture of James Arness from the show Gunsmoke. Indeed, he earned a huge amount of salary from his appearance in the TV series Gunsmoke. Gold Rush first debuted as Gold Rush: 2010 and it followed the lives of Todd Hoffman and his father, Jack, as they led a crew of gold-hungry dudes to dig for the shiny yellow mineral that mankind's been fascinated with for centuries. However, in 1971, he was forced to temporarily leave the show for just a handful of episodes because he had to undergo heart surgery after suffering a heart attack. Blake came back to play Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge, the TV movie that brought everyone back to Dodge City, Kansas, one last time. (Additional reporting by Vicki Allen; Editing by Jill Serjeant), Corrects last name from Wayne to Arness in last paragraph. 'Gunsmoke' Star James Arness Dies at Age 88 Copyright 2023 Distractify. Arness got an announcing job, but then headed to Hollywood in hopes of a movie career. He earned $1,200 an episode. Jenny Lee Arness-What Happened to The Daughter of James Arness? Milburn Stone, who played Doc Adams and was in 629 episodes, died five years after the show ended without featuring in the Gunsmoke TV movie or any other movie for that matter. and its 1982 sequel Airplane II: The . However, in June 2011, fans around the world were saddened to hear of his passing. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. This is an appropriate name for the horse, as it was a loyal and reliable companion to Matt Dillon throughout the show. Distractify is a registered trademark. When Gunsmoke left the CBS airwaves in 1975, Arness had set the record for the longest-running role played by a single actor in prime time. To create a more fitting character, Dennis Weaver began portraying Chester Goode with a limp and speaking in a . Thankful to have gotten to know him for the short time that I did," Todd wrote on Facebook. Jack Hoffman, prior to having a back surgery of his own, admitted he was addicted to morphine. Arness served in the United States Army and had the role of rifleman. Arness died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home, said his business manager, Ginny Fazer. Did you know that Matt Dillon had a kid on 'Gunsmoke'? He made his film debut in The Farmers Daughter in 1947 as Loretta Youngs brother, and appeared four years later in the title part as a space alien in The Thing from Another World.. Miss Hannah took over the Long Branch Saloon after Kittys exit. Aurness is the son of Gunsmoke actor James Arness and nephew of Mission Impossible actor Peter Graves. Notable Video Game Releases: New and Upcoming, What to Watch in May: 18 Notable TV Shows & Streaming Movies, S20:E27. He was a great guy and mechanic. Former Militant And Actor James Arness Peacefully Died At The Age Of 88 'Gunsmoke': How Did James Arness Die? But his poor vision and problem with eyesight was the major obstacle that blocked him from it.